Eep, I seem to have a talent for procrastination.. Sorry again guys, couldn't update sooner; not only was I a lazy ass this past month or so, but various computer bans, and a great deal more writing assignments than I can manage have led me to minor writers block..
But enough of my crap, I've finally got an idea where this story's going, and now a bit of a pattern.
One chapter Selene and Michael, one Marcus/Vampires, with the first page/half page focusing on Selene, another Selene and Michael, then finally, a lycan centered one, with the first page/half page focusing on Michael, then repeat.
Also, originally this chapter was a good few pages longer, but I cut it down to 8 after realizing that not only did it not any longer live up to its name, but it was pretty much like a useless run-on sentence.
Good news though, the excess will be uploaded as chapter 5, along with chapter 4.
As a reminder, all disclaimers apply, replies to reviews are at the end, and the name of the next chapter and a one-line preview will be included before the reviews.
Chapter 3: A Hastened Departure
Selene stood transfixed, her gaze locked on to the obsidian orbs that were now in place of Michaels usual turquoise.
Unsure of his intentions, she backed away reproachfully, watching as his skin began to shimmer silvery-blue, his fangs elongate.
His nose twitched in a dog-like fashion, sniffing tentatively here and there, inhaling deeply once in a while, his eyes half-shut for a moment, reveling in an unknown scent only his subconscious mind could recognize.
What the hell am I doing?! Michael thought frantically, as his mind strained for control over bestial instinct.
Selenes discomfort increased tenfold, as she was still unsure of his sudden change into his Hybrid form.
Suddenly, another scent hit his sensitive nostrils, and he bared his rather large fangs, a low growl reverberating in his throat. He whipped his head towards one of the dirt-encrusted windows, his growl increasing in volume.
For a moment Selene pondered his sudden change in interest, until the scent hit her less acute nostrils.
Michaels conscious brain recognized the scent to be that of the inglorious bastard who shot him, the one Selene referred to as Kraven.. Before he could seize control of himself, he had broken through the window, and was already tearing after the long-gone bastard, who could apparently run quite fast.
The treacherous vampire had most likely realized that Selene was not alone, and bolted when he heard the throaty growl.
"Michael!? She yelled, nimbly leaping out of the shattered window pane to chase after him.
The cowardly ex-regent was indeed lucky – for he had arrived in a stolen car, conveniently parked close to the motel.
Escaping certain death by but a hair, he sped off into the night, tires screeching, leaving wide skid marks in his wake.
Michael, deprived of his prey, let out a monstrous roar, cursing blood as he gave up on the futile chase.
Selene only watched in wonder, quite surprised by Michaels bestial actions. He had been a peace-loving intern one moment, rampaging beast the next.
The lycan, no doubt, furious at having lost its quarry.
Selene stood silent for a moment, then stalked up to him carefully, well aware that his anger could just as easily be directed at her.
"Michael..." She spoke softly, prepared to draw her Berettas if the need presented itself.
Something must have clicked with him, and as he turned to face her, his breathing had slowed considerably, his growl fading.
She marveled momentarily at the effect she had on his disposition, but quickly shrugged that away, as she faced the problems at hand.
"Let's go.." She snapped suddenly, turning on her heel, heading for their room. Daylight was approaching fast, and her last wish was to be caught outside at dawn.
As the subtle transformation took over his bestial form, Michael slid back into humanity, bewildered at his own actions not a minute ago.
Having no reason to be angry anymore, he simply nodded, and trailed after Selene like the lost puppy he was.
She kept her icy walls up, even though her mind was reeling. How could he sense it?! She thought frantically, And Kraven.. She couldn't smell him before Michael was out the window, and even then she had barely noticed it.
Beyond astonishment, she felt deep regret that Michael hadn't torn that worthless bastard to shreds, and an odd sense of longing, as she watched his Hybrid form in action.
Shaking off her troubling thoughts, she once more focused on the task at hand – Getting them to Zagreb before sunrise.
Quickly double-checking that they had left nothing behind, she strode off to the lobby – instructing Michael to stay put, as she couldn't afford to chase after him once more.
And so Michael sat alone, still absorbed in the aftershock of his transformation.
For a few fleeting moments, he had felt power like nothing he'd experienced before, utter dominance, sheer force, ultimate power.
While a part of him was horrified at his bestial desires, another only wished to experience such supremacy, such utter control.
Massaging his temples, he hobbled off to the bathroom, intent on at least washing the muck and grime off his face, as their room was lacking a shower of any sort.
But when he lifted his weary head to the cracked mirror, expecting to meet his normal, green-blue eyes in the reflection, he was instead chagrined to see them engulfed in blackness.
What the hell?! He jerked his weary head back in surprise, having not yet recovered from the energy loss required for the change.
His eyes were black, but he retained his human appearance.
Something must be triggering the transformation.. He though, far too tired to try and figure it out.
Selene strode briskly down the hall, her serene features showing little of the turmoil inside her.
Making her way to the unkempt lobby, littered with garbage and cigarette butts, she stepped up to the managers desk, depositing a handful of bills on the counter, grossly over-paying no doubt.
But she cared little, for her main concern was just to get out of Vienna as fast as possible, among other things.
She noticed as she had left him that Michaels eyes had once more blackened, though he remained human.
Why, why now?! Selene thought hurriedly as she marched back to their room.
Nothing could have prepared her for what she saw sitting on the bed.
There was Michael, as ruggedly handsome as ever, fondling her coat protectively.
She jerked her head back in surprise, as Michael flushed brilliant pink, quickly tossing the coat aside.
"Um, sorry, I, uh.." He stuttered in humility, as Selene suppressed a feeble laugh.
"I checked out," She interrupted him sparing the poor hybrid the embarrassment of explaining himself.
"We'll be leaving now, dawn is close, and we have yet to see how you react to sunlight." She spoke as she briskly assembled her Berettas, sheathing them in a pair of holsters attached to her thighs.
Aha.. Michael though with a lust-ridden grin.
He had always wondered where she kept those.
She didn't even bother to ask as she turned and saw him smiling like an idiot, rolling her eyes as he quickly hid his amusement.
"Come on." She spoke, shouldering her bags, motioning for Michael to take the cooler.
Without another word, Selene stepped out of their room, a rather smitten Michael in tow, eyes riveted to her backside.
Unnoticing, or uncaring rather, she strode out to the parking lot, slamming the car door behind her as she deposited the bags in the back.
Flooring the gas after Michael had entered the Mercedes, she sped into the night, her reckless driving habits well exceeding the local speed limit.
Michael was asleep before they were out of Vienna.
Apparently the lycan is dominant.. Selene pondered restlessly, as she had been wondering which aspects of his existence would be influenced by what.
Newly turned lycans received a surge of energy during their first few transformations, but after reverting to their human form, they were completely exhausted, making easy prey for the watchful Death Dealer.
No, She corrected herself, Lycans are not my problem, not my enemies..
Still, although she harbored the knowledge that lycans were mere innocents, 127 years of believing them to be merciless beasts would not be shrugged away so easily.
Shaking off her troubling thoughts, she shot a glance at Michaels sleeping form.. So peaceful.
Memories of smiling twin girls, sleeping like angels, as Selene bent down to kiss their foreheads before heading off to bed herself.
Pain shot through her as images of decimated corpses flashed before her eyes, reopening wounds that had never fully healed.
Tears threatened to stream down her alabaster cheeks as she ran through every memory she had left.
Her family.. Viktor.. The lycans.. And Michael, most recently.
Again she turned her head to look at his sleeping form, slumped over the hand rest in what must have been an extremely uncomfortable position.
He must've collapsed on the spot... Feeling pity for the disfigured hybrid, she pulled over on the highway, easing to a halt in the shoulder.
"Michael.." She prodded him gently, trying to rouse him in the most humane manner possible.
He didn't stir, so she prodded him harder, repeating his name.
She sighed at his comatose appearance, deciding perhaps it would be faster to simply move him herself.
An unknown part of her relished in the simple contact, as she gently lifted his head from its cramped position, and rested it on the seat belt strap.
Slowly, she turned back to the steering wheel, starting the car with less reckless vigor than usual.
At that moment, a blunter part of her decided to take over, and she floored the gas once more, disgusted by her thoughts and actions.
Poor Michael has his head shake up quite badly as it flew off its resting place and made contact with the passenger window.
Waking with a start, he sat bolt upright, massaging his right temple tenderly.
Turning to meet Selenes steely gaze, he chose to remain silent, instead preoccupying himself with counting small animals that darted in front of or behind the pitch black Mercedes.
They traveled without headlights, as Selene could navigate perfectly well without them, and in truth, could see better without their sickly glow.
The rest of the night passed similarly, Selene driving with insane speeds over the Slovenian countryside, Michael flitting in and out of slumber.
Next up, in Hunt Denied, the lycans regroup and plan their next move.
Replies to Reviews:
Iridescent eyes: Thanks! D Really? I think my writing has a long way to go until it's anywhere near as good as I want it to be, but if you say so..
Lucet99: Thanks! Yeah, I'm sorta sick of all those fics where Michael's as stiff as a piece of driftwood, Selene's emotionless, or the opposite, where they're this melodramatic 'woe to me' couple..
Beta Slave: Lmfao, love the name. Yes, you're my beta, and there's nothing you can do about it. :D "Mysterious, dark, suspenseful, and action-packed"? Rotf. The only action so far's been that little flashback in Confusion, and this little Kraven bit here.. I'll definitely have to think of some dodgy way to kill that slimy bastard.. And yes, the lines may be cheesy, but funny like hell to read. Now get back to betaing Hunt Denied! –cracks whip-
Asia Cwiakala: Oh, yeah, I'm quite sick of the bigger cities myself, especially when they involve the Death Dealers tracking them and such. The first places they'd check are London, Paris, Munich, and all those other big capitols. No one ever thinks of the obscure little Slavic countries and what possibilities for concealment lay there!
Fig-aruna: :D Second person who's said that.. And thanks! I find that's one of the best compliments you can get. Yeah, I'm thinking of becoming a fantasy writer when I get out of my damned school, so I'm trying my best to shape up as much as possible before then!